Examinations of Tissue From Ablated Malignant Liver Metastases as Predictors of Outcome
Examinations of Tissue From Ablated Malignant Liver Metastases as Predictors of Outcome
The purpose of this study is to see if the investigators can do some tests on tissue from the area of the ablation. The investigators want to know if a test can help predict whether the ablation worked.
The treated tumor is normally evaluated with CT. The CT shows signs of treated tumor(s) in the area treated by ablation. However, cancer cells may begin to grow in or near the treated area. The CT scan cannot tell us if the cells are new cancer cells or if they are healthy liver cells that just look different because of the ablation. The test the investigators will study should be able to tell us the difference.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients < 18
Less than 5 mm distance of the tumor margin from a major vessel >7mm in diameter)**
Less than 5 mm distance to a structure (GI or biliary tract), that cannot be protected from**
the ablation injury with technical modifications such as hydro or air dissection.
INR > 1.5 that cannot be corrected with fresh frozen Plasma*
Platelet count of <50,000 that cannot be corrected with transfusion.
Patient with more than 3 tumors treated with any percutaneous ablation
Patients with more than 5 sites of extrahepatic disease (including nodes and pulmonary nodules)
for patients on Coumadin general clinical guidelines for IR ablation will be followed **This will not be considered an exclusion criteria when IRE or Microwave is used.